Senior Environmental Employment Program
Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: The Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-313) authorized the Administrator of the EPA "to make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with private, nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965." These cooperative agreements are to utilize the talents of older Americans in temporary, full time or part time positions "providing technical assistance to Federal, State, and local environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control." "Technical assistance" may include any activity performed for the EPA in support of its projects ranging from inspections of schools for asbestos, to support for a Headquarters staff office.
This allows for the coverage of all types of SEE program positions from professional to clerical.
Annual funding priorities are not established at the SEE program level.
Rather, Senior Resource Officials from the participating 65 program offices establish priorities requiring SEE program support.
Examples of Funded Projects
Provide funding to eligible Grantee organizations to provide senior citizens who conduct national non-agricultural pesticide surveys, monitor for asbestos compliance in schools, provide review and monitoring support for the Import Car Program, monitor the anti-fuel switching program, conduct research, and work on other general administrative and clerical tasks.
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.
Telephone: (202) 564-0410, Fax: (202) 564-0735; E-mail: street.susan@epa.gov.
Program Accomplishments
In Fiscal Year 2007, 193 cooperative agreements/amendments were awarded. To date, in Fiscal Year 2008, 337 cooperative agreements/amendments were awarded.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The SEE Act states that only nonprofit organizations which are designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act can participate.
These cooperative agreements are to utilize the talents of older Americans in temporary full time or part time positions "providing technical assistance to Federal, State, and local environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control."
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Private, nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Federal, State, and local environmental agencies and individuals 55 years old or older.
Credentials/Documentation
The Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984 requires a certification by the Federal, State, or local agency that is to receive the SEE workers that the grant/cooperative agreement will not displace any Federal or State workers, prevent the rehiring of any laid-off Federal/State workers, or affect existing service contracts. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Requests for application forms must be submitted to: Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, (3903R), Washington, DC 20460. Completed applications must be sent to the same address, and a copy of the completed application should also be sent to: Susan Street, Director, SEE Program, Environmental Protection Agency,Office of Administration and Resources Management, Office of Human Resources, Customer Services Support Center (3605A), Washington, DC 20460. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. Basic steps of the application procedure are outlined in the application package containing the application forms.
Award Procedures
Each application shall be subjected to administrative evaluation to determine adequacy of application in relation to assistance regulations, and to program objectives.
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984, Public Law 98-313, 42 U.S.C. 4368a.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Not applicable.
Appeals
Disputes will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance covers a period of one to three years and is awarded in increments during that period.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Recipients must furnish quarterly reports on expenditures by cooperative agreement.
Audits
Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Financial records, including all documents which support entries on accounting records and which substantiate changes to each assistance agreement must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA assistance accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final financial status report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of an audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $53,057,698; FY 08 est. $53,000,000; and FY 09 est. $53,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
New awards and amendments: $1,100 to $2,500,000 for FY 2007, Average $274,910; $35,000 to $672,500 for FY 2008, Average $227,015 to date; Estimated $12,100 to 12,116,244, FY 2009 Average $277,659.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Assistance Administration Manual, available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161 on a subscription basis; 40 CFR Part 30, General Regulation for Assistance Programs; Office of Administration and Resources Management for the Management of the Senior Environmental Employment Program.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Susan Street, Director SEE Program, (3605A) Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 564-0410, Fax: (202) 564-0735; E-mail: street.susan@epa.gov.
Headquarters Office
Susan Street, Director SEE Program, Office of Administration and Resources Management, Office of Human Resources, Customer Service Support Center (3605A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W., Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 564-0410 Fax: (202) 564-0735; E-mail: street.susan@epa.gov. Web Site: http://epa.gov/epahrist/see/brochure.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Proposals must demonstrate that the Organizations have the capability of operating nationwide; can manage the program within the prescribed administrative funding limits; and can provide a quality fringe benefit package to enrollees under the proposal (including health insurance).
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